Harvesting machine



Feb. 5, 1952 v. MoRlNE 2,584,361

HARVESTING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet l c. v. MORINEHARVESTING MACHINE Feb. 5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 24, 1948CHA/afs l//co/i MOE/'NE HARVESTING MACHINE Filed May 24, 1948 6Sheets-Sheet 4 CHARL 5 V/'Icr'of` MOR/N E Feb. 5, 1952 c. v. MOR'INEHARvEsTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 24, 1948 CHARLES V/'cToRMOR/NE.

Feb. 5, 1952 c. v. MoRlNE.'

HARVESTING MACHINE -6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 24, 1948 CHARLES V/'cro/Noli/NE.

Patented Feb. 5, 1952 HARVESTING MACHINE cmi-1er vicm- Morine, wrhmwr,Territory or Hawaii, aaaig'nor to California Packingr Corporation, SanFrancisco, Calif., a corporation oi' New York Application my 24, isis.semi No. :assi

(cl. :n4-83.1)

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to harvesting machines, and more particularly toa machine for the harvesting of pineapples. Pineapples are harvested inprime ripe condition and in this condition are easily bruised ordamaged. 'I'hey are harvested from plants planted in large elds. Thepineapple plants arev planted in rows and large plots and it has becomethe practice to traverse such plots with link conveyers which extendacross the rows of pineapple plants moving the conveyers along the plotslengthwise of the rows to enable the pineapple pickers to place the ripepineapples upon the conveyers as they are picked. The pineapples arethus transported out of the plot to an aisle to another collectingposition between the plots of pineapple plants.

It is an object of my invention to provide a pineapple harvester whichis adapted to collect the pineapples from the pickers and to distributethe same to a mobile receiving box operatively associated with thecollecting conveyer unit and to so position the pineapples in the mobilereceiving box and to move the pineapples in such positionfrom the fieldto the box as to avoid undue injury to the fruit.

Another object of my invention is to provide a collecting system forreceiving and collecting pineapples from a ileld which is of suchconstruction and operation as to enable us to receive and distribute thepineapples to a receiving lbox without injury.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mobile collecting anddistributing unit for receiving and distributing pineapples, a mobilereceiving box for receiving the pineapples from the mobile collectingand distributing unit, means ior interconnecting such units inv deiiniterelation, and a distributing means operating betweenv the mobile unitand in effect, laying the pineapples in the boxy progressively of itslength and depth to avoid injury of the fruit.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believedwill beapparent from the following detailedi description of a preferredembodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation oi' the mobile receiving and distributingconveyer unit embodied in my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the feeding and distributing conveyerimit and mobile box unit and illustrating interconnecting anddistributing means operating between the said units.

Figure 3 .is an enlarged fragmental view of the driving connections forthe distributing conveyer.

z Figure 4 is a fragmental elevation upon a larger scale of thepineapple receiving conveyer system.`

Figure 5 is a plan view of the pineapple receiving conveyer system ofFigure 4:

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view ot the v-receiving conveyer systemillustrating the directions of travel and relationship of the differentelements of the system.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view ci; the ldriving means for thedistributing conveyer system.

Figure 8 is a fragmental elevation of the distributing conveyer and itssupporting and actuating means. l

Figure 9 is an end elevation taken substantially on the line 9 9 ofFigure 8.

Figure 10 is a plan view taken substantially on the line Ill-I0 ofFigure 9.

Figure 11 is a view taken substantially on the line II--II of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a view taken substantially on the line |2|2 of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a side elevation on alarger scale of the pineapple placingand positioning means indicating the same with relation to the receivingbox and showing in dotted lines the apron in various positions.

Figure 14 is an end view of the pineapple placing and receiving meanslooking in the direction of line I4-I4 of Figure 13,.

Figure 15 is a sectional end elevation" taken substantially on the lineIB--IS of Figure .14. y

Figure 16 is a plan View of the distributing and placing means of Figure13.

Figure 17 is a iragmental partially diagrammatic view of the mobileconveyerand mobile receiving box connecting means.

Figure 18 is a top plan view takenvsubstan. tially on the line l8-I8 ofFigure;v 17.

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic sidelelevation ci' the collecting conveyerand its supporting and elevating means.

Figure 2o is a view simuar to preis mustrating the conveyer supportingmeans in raised l the pineapples as they are picked in the field,elevate the same to a position where they are transferred to adistributing conveyer which is longitudinally movable with respect tothe collecting, elevating and receiving means, and which is provided atits discharge end with a positioning and placing unit B operative inconjunction with the movement of the distributing conveyer forpositioning and placing the pineapples in the box of the mobilereceiving box unit C. The function of the mobile box unit C is toreceive the pineapples as they are collected in the field from theplacing and positioning unit B in such manner that the pineapples arepositioned longitudinally and vertically in the box of the unit Cprogressively rearwardly from the forward end of the box C as thismobile box unit C is releasably coupled in leading and trailing relationthrough the medium of a coupling unit D with a receiving and collectingunit A.

In order to permit the receiving and collecting unit A to carry out itsrequired functions, the same may be of the preferred constructionillustrated which includes preferably a self-propelled unit illustratedas a track-laying type of tractor I upon which there is provided a frame2 supporting a turret base 3 upon which there is positioned a turrethead 4 so as to be rotatable with relation to the base 3 through themedium of a bearing ring 5. The turret head 4 supports the collectingconveyer 6, the receiving conveyer 1, the elevating conveyer 8 and thedistributing and positioning conveyer 9.

The receiving conveyer 1 extends laterally from the tractor I and iscomposed of a plurality of conveyer units positioned in the receivingconveyer frame I and which include the inner conveyer unit II and outerconveyer unit I2 and an intermediate conveyer unit I3. These conveyerunits are positioned in end to end relation with the inner unit offsetto the side of the intermediate conveyer unit I3. Each of the conveyerunits consists of a suitable continuous belt which passes over suitableconveyer rollers I4 at their opposed ends. which conveyer rollers aresupported upon shafts journaled in the frame I0. Any suitable means areprovided for driving the conveyers so that the inner conveyer unit IIhas its upper run of its belt moving in the direction of the arrow I5while the outer conveyer unit I2 has the upper run of its belt moving inthe opposite direction as indicated at I6.

The intermediate conveyer I3 is driven in a direction to have its upperrun move in a direction to carry the pineapples to position to bereceived in the elevating conveyer 8 as illustrated by the arrow I1.Suitable means are provided for so driving the respective conveyers aswell as the elevating conveyer 8, which means are herein illustrated asincluding a motor or driving unit I8 which is carried by the frame I0and driven through asuitable speed reduction I9 to drive the shaft 20 towhich the lower roller 2I of the elevating conveyer 8 is secured. Asuitable drive connection 22 is provided for driving the innermostconveyer roll I4a of the intermediate conveyer I3.

Secured to the shaft 23 supporting the roller I4 is a gear 24 whichmeshes with an idler gear 25 supported by a supporting bracket 26. Asuitable drive connection 21 isv provided from the gear 25 to the shaft28 upon which is secured the driven roller 29 of the draper conveyerv3D. A suitable drive connection 3I is.

The shaft is suitably journaled in the frame II) and provides the meansaround which the elevating conveyer 8 may rotate as the conveyers I I,I2 and I3 are raised or lowered with relation to the ground. Theelevating conveyer 8 is composed of an endless belt 35 trained over thedriven roller IZI at its lower end and over an idler roller 36 at itsupper end. A suitable frame 31 is provided for the elevating conveyer.The conveyer system thus provided extends laterally outward fromthe-tractor I a suitable distance to cover the plot of'pineapple plantsand is supported from the tractor I in such manner as to permit theconveyer system to be raised or lowered as desired. The means providedfor so supporting the conveyer system consists of side arms 38 which arepivoted to cross-shaft -39 at the end of the conveyer frame I0, and arepivoted on turret head 4 at their inner end. The arms 40 are secured attheir upper end to the standard links 4I. The links 4I are in turnpivotally secured to brackets 42 supported by the turret head 4. A pairof supporting cables 43 and 44 are provided. The supporting cable 43consists of two lengths of cable, the dead ends of which are anchored asat 43EL and 43b (Fig. 2) The two lengths of cable pass through laterallyspaced sheaves 41 at the outer end of the conveyer frame IIJ at a pointbetween the sheaves 41 and 48. The two lengths of cable 43 are joinedtogether and the resultant single cable is run over the sheaves 48, 49,and is reeved upon a drum 49a (Fig. 20). The other cable 44 has its deadend secured to the end of the arm 38 adjacent its pivotal connection 39of the frame I, passes over a pulley 52 supported by the standard link4I, passes under the pulley 49h, and is secured to the head 50 of thepiston rod of the hydraulic cylinder 5I. Hydraulic fluid is supplied tothe cylinder 5I from any suitable surce to move the piston in adirection to impart a pulling force upon the cable 44, thus elevatingthe conveyer supporting means from the position indicated in Figure 19to that indicated in Figure 20, thus raising the conveyers II, I2 and I3while maintaining the said conveyers in a position substantiallyparallel with the eld.

`It will be noted that in conjunction with the elevating conveyer 8`there is provided a standard form of draper conveyer 38 having drapers52 spaced along its length for engaging the pineapples upon the conveyerbelt 35 of the elevating conveyer to aid the elevating conveyer in itsoperation of elevating/the pineapples from the intermediate conveyer I2to the collecting conveyer 6.

A suitable cross-over or diagonal 53 is supported in the frame II] forcausing the pineapples to be transferred from the inner receivingconveyer II to the intermediate receiving conveyer I3. At the upper endthe pineapples from the elevating conveyer 8 are delivered to thecollecting conveyer 6 which is driven through a suitable driveconnection 54 from the elevating conveyer 8.

The pineapples are transferred from the collecting conveyer 6 to thedistributing conveyer 9 through the medium of a transfer gate or board55 (Fig. 22). 'I'he distributingl conveyer 9 is supported in such mannerthat it'may be moved longitudinally as a unit and may also be rotatedaround its supporting trunnionA 56 so that its discharge end 51 may beraised and lowered to suitably positicn the placing unit B with relationto the receiving box C. As the distributing conveyer 9 is supported uponthe rotatable turret head 4. it may also be rotated and means areprovided for rotating the conveyer 9 and hence the entire conveyer unitas it is supported upon the tractor It will thus be seen that thedistributing conveyer 9 is pivotally supported on its trunnion 56between the supporting brackets 58 and 51.

Secured upon the shaft forming the trunnion 56 are gears 59 which meshwith parallel racks 68 secured to the frame 6| of the distributingconveyer 9. A motor 62 is provided for driving the shaft 56a through areleasable clutch transmission 63. Thus by driving the shaft 56 and itsgears 59 either forward or backward. the conveyer 9 may be caused tomove as a body forwardly or rearwardly with relation to the box C. Theframe 6| includes side base bars 64 provided with spaced anges65in whichsecuring rollers 66 are positioned to hold the racks in engagementv withthe gears 59.-

The means. providedI for-rotating the conveyer 9 around its trunnion orshaft 56e for thus raising or ylowering the discharge end lof theconveyer 9 and likewise for rotating the conveyer 9 I or the entireconveyer-system upon its turret support on the tractor I 'may be of anysuitable or desirableV construction and are hereinillustrated asconsisting of a supporting frame 61 carried on rollers 68 riding on anarcuate track 69 carried at the forward end of the supporting frame 2.'I'he frame 61 is composed of spaced standards 18 in which va standardbar- 1|v is mounted to move vertically. The standard bars are thusslotted as indicated at 12 to receive the ends of the standard bar 1|.Supported by the standard bar 1| are roller brackets 18 carrying spacedrollers 14 which are positioned between the flanges 65 of the side bars64 of the frame 6| of the distributing conveyer 9.

The brackets 13 are pivotally supported upon pivots 15. The meansprovided for raising and lowering the standard 1-| are hereinillustrated includes 2 hydraulic cylinders 16 having pistons therein,piston rods 11 of which are connected with the bar 1| so that ashydraulic fluid is admitted to the opposed ends of the piston within thecylinder 16, the forward or discharge end of the distributing conveyer 9is raised or lowered as required.

In order to permit the forward end of the conveyer 9 to be moved in anarc so that it may be properly aligned with the box of the mobile boxunit C at all times, there is provided a motor 16 supported upon thecross standard 19'I of the frame 61 which drives through a suitabledrive connection 88', the gear 6| of which meshes with the arcuate rack82 carried on the forward face of the arcuate track 69.

Means are provided for releasably coupling the mobile receiving box unitC to the conveyer unit A so that the said units are positioned inleading and trailing relationship and which also permits the readydisconnection of mobile box unit C from the conveyer unit A when the box6 of the unit is filled so that another box unit may be moved intoposition. The connectingmeans thus provided may be of any suitableconstruction but are herein illustrated as consisting of a pair ofspaced bumper -bars 83 suitably connected to the tractor frame` of thetractor and extending forwardly of the track 69.

Secured to the forward ends of the bumper` bars 63 is a channel bar 84carrying a hydraulic cylinder standard between its ends. Secured to theforward face of the channel bar 84 are spaced pipe uprights 86 suitablybraced to thebumper bars 88 by mean'sof diagonal braces 81. Secured tothe channel bar 84 is a lift rod 88 carrying a pulley 89. Fitted withinthe pipe standards A86 so as to slide longitudinallythereof are pipes98. The pipes l86 are slotted longitudinally of their length asindicated at 86 so that supporting plates 9| and 92 are secured inspaced relation to the inner pipes 98 and may move longitudinally of thepipes 86 during movement of the pipes 98 therein. l .I J I The plates 9|and-92 are secured to brace rods 93 and form, with'the pipes 98, a slideframe ,which carriesfat its 'lower.lextremity 'a clamp sleeve` 94'adapted toreceive the clamp in position, a shaft 95 carrying'an--engaging roller 98. The engaging roller 96 maythus be moved verticallywith the slide frame formed `to and from the position to engage .thevinner face of the bumper bar 91 carried bythe mobile box unit C.

l In order to. raise and lower the slide carrying the roller 96, a cable|58 is seeureddas indicated I at |51 to the slide frame j-at oneend, andafter I passing over the pulley'89land'-through the actuating pulley|5|, it is secured to extension arm |52 carried at the upper end of therod 88. The Ipulley `|5| is operatively secured to the upper end of thepiston vrod |53 'which carries at its opposite end the piston headmounted to reciprocate in the operating cylinder |54. The cylinder |54is securedto and carried by the'supporting bracket 85. Means areprovided for admitting fluid under pressure to the opposed ends of thecylinder |54 so as to move the piston therein andv hence the piston rod|53 in alternate directions, and this systemis diagrammaticallyillustrated herein as including the conduits |55 connected to theopposed ends of the cylinder |54 and which pass through a selector valve|56 which may be actuated to determine to which end of the cylinder |54the fluid under pressure is admitted. Thel selector valve |56 is of anysuitable construction, as is well understood in the art, and is alsoprovided with a connection with a conduit leading from a source of uidunder pressure, as is well understood in this art. The

valve unit |56 may be actuated by means of a the box C and provides themeans for lowering the fruit into position. The apron |86 is secured toa shaft |81 carried in the end frame bars |88. The end frame bars |88carry at their ends boxengaging rollers |89. Likewise carried on theshaft |01 are box-engaging rollers ||0 which determine the depth towhich the apron |08 is loweredfin the box I|| of the mobile box unit C.Meansare provided for operating the apron |06 which include a hydrauliccylinder I I2 which carries a piston secured to the piston rod H3. Meansare provided for admittinghydraulic fluid to -`the opposite ends of thecylinder so as to move the piston in either direction selectively asdesired. v

Secured to the shaft |01 is a sprocket I Il over which an operatingchain I|5 is trained over an idler sprocket IIB. Secured to the chain||5 is a bracket |I`I through the medium of which the chain is likewisesecured to the piston rod |.I3. At the forward end of the frame 6I ofthe distributing conveyer 9 there is provided a rod IIB connectedbetween the side bars 6l. A slanting apron I9 is pivotall'y secured atbrackets |20 to the ends of the frame 6| to overlie the apron |06.

Means are provided between the frame 6| of the distributing unit 9 andthe distributing and placing unit B for yieldably supporting the forwardend of the distributing conveyer 9 and for taking up road shocks as themobile units are moved over the field. Thus the two frame bars |08 aresecured to a cross bar |2I and the rod |2| is in turn secured to a leafspring |22. The leaf spring |22 is in turn secured at its midsectionthrough the medium of a spring clamp |23 to the trunnion |24 secured atthe center of the rod |I9.

In the operation of the harvester embodying my invention, I believe thatit will be apparent that the receiving conveyers I2 and I3 may be of anysuitable extent required to traverse the plot of pineapples beingpicked. As the conveyer system is moved forward over the rows ofpineapple plants, the pineapples are picked by the picker and placedupon the conveyer, either I or I2, depending upon which part of the plotthe' pineapple is picked from. The pineapples are thus conveyed to thecenter conveyer I3 and transferred to the elevating conveyer 8 wherethey are elevated through the operation of the elevator conveyer 8 anddraper conveyer 30 to the collecting conveyer 6 over which thepineapples pass in being transferred to the distributing conveyer 9. Amobile box unit C is moved into position with reference to the conveyerunit A and the cylindrical hydraulic valve |04 is actuated to permit theroller 93 to pass back of the bumper bar 95, thus connecting the units Aand C. The distributing conveyer 9 is then moved forwardly so that theapron |06 occupies the uppermost dotted line position as shown in Figure13. Pineapples thus pass off from the conveyer |09 down the apron B andonto the apron |06 against the foremost wall of the box III. Aspineapples accumulate the apron |06 is lowered progressively to theposition shown in the full line in Figure 16 and into the second dottedline position at which time the entire forward portion of the boxbetween the front wall and apron are filled with fruit and as morepineapples are delivered to the box, the apron system is retracted toallow the fruit to settle into the voids filling the box withoutpermitting the fruit to drop.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I donot wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my inventionis of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a harvesting machine, the combination of a conveyer adapted totraverse a multiplicity of veyers being operatively connected to andsupl ported by and upon a mobile unit, said unit including turret meansfor rotating said conveyers about a vertical axis, the mobile receivingboxbeing supported upon and carried by a second mobile unit,meansroperatively connecting the mobile units together in leading andtrailing relation during the delivery of harvested material to themobile receiving box. and a'placing means carried by the discharge endof the distributing conveyer for placing the harvested material in themobile receiving box from one end to the other oi said box as thedistributing conveyer is moved longitudinally of the receiving box bymeans provided for longitudinally moving the distributing conveyer.

2. In a pineapple harvester, the combination of a mobile conveyer unitfor receiving pineapples and conveying the same to an elevated position,conveying the pineapples along a distributing conveyer, supporting meansfor the distributing conveyer, said means including turret means forrotating said distributing conveyer about a vertical axis, a mobile boxconnecting means releasably connecting the box with the mobile conveyerunit, the mobile box being positioned by said connecting means toreceive pineapples from the distributing conveyer, and rack and pinionmeans positioned on the conveyer unit for moving the distributingconveyer bodily in the direction of its length to position the deliveryend of the distributing conveyer adjacent the end of the mobile box sothat the pineapples are rst positioned in the end of the box remote fromthe conveyer unit. and the means for moving the distributing conveyerbeing operable to move the discharge end of the distributing conveyerrearwardly of the receiving box as the said box is progressively filledwith pineapples.

3. In a pineapple harvester. the combination of a mobile conveyer unitfor receiving pineapples and conveying the same to an elevated position,conveying the pineapples along a distributing conveyer, supporting meansfor the distributing conveyer, a mobile box connecting means releasablyconnecting the box with the mobile conveyer unit, the mobile box beingpositioned by said vconnecting means to receive pineapples from thedistributing conveyer, and means positioned on the conveyer unit formoving the distributing conveyer in the direction of its length toposition the delivery end of the distributing conveyer adjacent the endof the mobile box so that the pineapples are first positioned in the endof the box remote from the conveyer unit, and the means for moving thedistributing conveyer being operable to move the discharge end of thedistributing conveyer rearwardly of the receiving box as the said box isprogressively filled with pineapples, and a vertically swingable aproncarried .by the delivery end of the distributing conveyer i'or placingthe pineapples in the receiving box.

4. In a pineapple harvesting machine, the combination of a mobile unit.-a conveyer system, means supporting said conveyer system on the mobileunit for rotation about a vertical axis, the said conveyer systemincluding a plurality oi laterally extending conveyers operating todeliver harvested material to a central position, an elevating conveyeradapted to receive the harvested material at the central position, areceiving conveyer to which the harvested material is discharged at theupper end of the elevating conveyer, and a distributing conveyeroperably associated with the receiving conveyer and onto which theharvested material is discharged from the receiving conveyer.

5. In a pineapple harvesting machine, the combination of a mobile unit,a conveyer system, means supporting said conveyer system on the Amobileunit for rotation about a vertical axis, the

said conveyer system including a plurality of laterally extendingconveyers operating to deliver harvested material to a central position,an elevating conveyer adapted to receive the harvested material at thecentral position, a receiving conveyer to which the harvested materialis discharged at the upper end of the elevating conveyer, a distributingconveyer operably associated with the receiving conveyer and onto whichthe harvested material is discharged from the receiving conveyer, thedistributing conveyer being supported by the mobile unit, and meansoperable to move the distributing conveyer bodily in the direction ofits length.

6. In a pineapple harvesting machine, the combination of a mobile unit,a conveyer system supported upon the unit, the said conveyer systemincluding a, plurality of laterally extending conveyers operating todeliver harvested material to a central position, an elevating conveyeradapted to receive the harvested material at the central position, areceiving conveyer to which the harvested material is discharged at theupper end of the elevating conveyer, a distributing conveyer operablyassociated with the receiving conveyer and onto which the harvestedmaterial is discharged from the receiving conveyer, the distributingconveyer being supported by the mobile unit, means operable to move thedistributing conveyer in the direction of its length, and means operablyconnected with the distributing conveyer for raising or lowering itsdischarge end.

7. In a pineapple harvesting machine, the combination of a mobile unit,a conveyer system supported upon the unit, the said conveyer systemincluding a plurality of laterally extending conveyers operating todeliver harvested material to a central position, an elevating conveyeradapted to receive the harvested material at the central position, areceiving conveyer to which the harvested material is discharged at theupper end of the elevating conveyer, a distributing conveyer operablyassociated with the receiving conveyer and onto which the harvestedmaterial is discharged from the receiving conveyer, the distributingconveyer being supported by the mobile unit, means operable to move thedistributing conveyer in the direction oi its length, means operablyconnected with the distributing conveyer for raising or lowering itsdischarge end, and an apron unit having a vertically swingable apro-nsecured to the discharge end of the distributing conveyer.

8. In combination, a mobile conveyer unit 10 adapted to receive andconvey harvested material to a longitudinally movable distributingconveyer, means for longitudinally and bodily moving the distributingconveyer, means for rotating said distributing conveyer about a verticalaxis, a. re-

ceiving box, means for operably and releasably connecting the receivingbox with the mobile conveyer unit, the means for longitudinally movingthe distributing conveyer being operable to move the discharge end ofthe distributing conveyer from the advanced end of the receiving boxtoward its opposite end as the box is iilled with harvested material.

9. In combination, a. mobile conveyer unit adapted to receive and conveyharvested material to a longitudinally movable distributing conveyer,means for longitudinally moving the distributing conveyer, a receivingbox, means for operably and releasably connecting the receiving box withthe mobile conveyer unit, the means for longitudinally moving thedistributing conveyer being operable to move the discharge end of thedistributing conveyer from the advanced end of the receiving box towardits opposite end as the box is filled with harvested material, and avertically swingable apron carried at the discharge end of thedistributing conveyer for vertically determining the position oi'harvested material in the receiving box, and means for swinging theapron vertically.

10. In combination, a mobile conveyer unit, a mobile receiving box, aconveyer unit operatively associated with the mobile conveyer unit andincluding conveyer means adapted to distribute material from theconveyer unit to the mobile box unit, means for driving the distributingconveyer, means for releasably and operatively connecting the mobilereceiving box with the mobile conveyer unit for maintaining the saidunits in operative relation during distribution from the conveyer unitto the box unit, the latter said means including a connecting elementcarried by the mobile conveyer unit and adapted to be coupled with abumper bar carried by the mobile box unit, and means carried by themobile conveyer unit for actuating the coupling element to and frombumper bar engaging position.

11. In a combination of the class described of two independent mobileunits, means for distributing a harvested material from one mobile unitto the other, a bumper connection between the said units including aframe element carried by one of the mobile units, a slide frame operablein the first said frame and carrying a connecting roller, a bumper barcarried by the other mobile unit which is adapted to be engaged with thesaid roller, and means carried by the iirst said mobile unit foractuating the slide frame to move the engaging roller to and fromengaging position.

12. In a combination of the character described,

` a distributing conveyer, a, receiving box, a material i placingelement carried at the discharge end of the conveyer and over whichmaterial conveyed by the conveyer is adapted to pass in moving from theconveyer to the box receiving unit, the material placing element beingadapted to be moved through an arcuate path in the receiving box andmeans for actuating the material placing element through said arc withinthe receiving box to position the material from the conveyer in the boxin superposed position Without permitting the material so positioned todrop in the box, and means for moving the conveyer and the materialplacing element longitudinally of the receiving ll box as the materialis positioned' in superposed position within the box.

13. In combination, a, mobile conveyer unit adapted to receive andconvey harvested material to a longitudinally movable distributingconveyer, means for longitudinally moving the distributing conveyer,means ior rotating said distributing conveyer about a vertical axis, areceiving box, means for operably and releasably connecting thereceiving box with the mobile conveyer unit, the means forlongitudinally moving the distributing conveyer being operable to movethe discharge end of the distributing conveyer from the advanced end ofthe receiving box toward its opposite end as the box is illled withharvested material. and guide rollers operably connected to thedischarge end of said distributing conveyer, said guide rollers beingadapted to engage the box to restrict lateral motion oi the distributingconveyer as it is moved longitudinally, and said guide rollers beingadapted to pivot with respect to said distributing conveyer about avertical axis.

14. In combination, a mobile conveyer unit adapted to receive and conveyharvested material to a longitudinally movable distributing conveyer,

, means for longitudinally moving the distributing conveyer, a receivingbox, means for operably and releasably connecting the receiving box withthe mobile conveyer unit, the means for longitudinally moving thedistributing conveyer being operable to move the discharge end of thedistributing conveyer from the advanced end of the receiving box towardits opposite end as the box 12 is filled with harvested material, guiderollers operably connected to the discharge end of said distributingconveyer, said guide rollers being adapted to engage the box to restrictlateral motion of the distributing conveyer as it is movedlongitudinally, and spring suspension means connecting said guiderollers to the end oi' said distributing conveyer.

CHARLES VICTOR MORINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 619,463 Bartlett et al Feb. 14,1899 752,688 Kramer Feb. 23, 1904 1,563,387 MacEachen Dec. 1, 19251,884,101 Moe Oct. 25, 1932 2,005,442 Spiegl June 18, 1935 2,179,726Lewis Nov. 14, 1939 2,196,880 Van Voorhis et al Apr. 9, 1940 2,312,450Smith Mar. 2, 1943 2,321,387 Jackson June 8, 1943 2,343,153 Miller Feb.29, 1944 2,357,549 Roberson Sept. 5, 1944 2,406,992 Butler Sept. 3, 1946'2,450,152 Miller Sept. 28,1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date70,944 Sweden Jan. 28, 1929

